The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and City of Los Angeles have announced the launch and public availability of “LA Secure,” a mobile security application for Apple iOS and Android platforms. The app will help protect Metro riders and other L.A. County residents and visitors from growing cybersecurity threats on public Wi-Fi systems. LA Secure provides people with immediate protection against new and evolving threats on their mobile device.

After the application is downloaded and installed, it alerts a device user to threats in real time and offers information on what to do about those threats. For example, if someone tries to connect to a rogue Wi-Fi network, LA Secure will alert them about this security risk immediately. Phishing protection provided by LA Secure guards against malicious links and enables people to check the safety and legitimacy of suspicious links before clicking on them.

“Providing a safe and secure environment for Los Angeles County’s 10 million residents to live and work is becoming just as important online as it has always been offline,” said Hilda L. Solis, Metro board chair. “As L.A. County continues to expand public Wi-Fi access, including on its entire fleet of Metro buses, LA Secure offers an industry-leading technology to ensure all the activity they conduct on their mobile devices remains safe, private and secure.”

In addition to the app, the LA Cyber Lab promotes cyber security awareness and offers support to local businesses and government agencies and the City’s Get Connected initiative provides information on free and low-cost internet options, devices, and training.

“The City and County of Los Angeles have a responsibility to protect residents in both the physical and the digital realms – and it’s a responsibility we take very seriously,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Through LA Secure, we’re making good on that commitment and empowering people with the resources they need to stay safe online.”

LA Secure was developed by Zimperium, a leader in mobile security and protection, and is designed to secure devices against threats. LA Secure is available now and is free to download in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.